Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey
AUS vs IND 2nd ODI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs IND 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia vs India 2nd ODI Key Players | SCG Pitch Report
International cricket back with a bang? Check. Fireworks? Check. Sea of gold and blue in a rare sporting crowd in 2020? Check. India again losing the first match of a bilateral ODI series In SENA? Check. Australia’s top order, particularly Smith, brilliant once again? Check.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. But, India will be after a big change in performance in Sunday’s second ODI, after a horrendous fielding display left too much for their batsmen to do on Friday. Australia were poor in the field, too, which suggested that the teams were fighting off rust, but with the temperatures forecast to cross 40 degrees in Sydney, the heat is on India, both literally and figuratively, to turn things around.
It’s not like India haven’t been here before. In fact, the team that has gone on to take a series lead has lost the last three ODI series between Australia and India, which should give Virat Kohli’s team hope. India came back from 1-0 to win 2-1 in Australia in 2019, and did the same at home earlier in 2020. However, the peculiar absence of Rohit Sharma, which has even confused Kohli, as well as India’s five-bowler conundrum, are issues they need to overcome, fast.
For Australia, their good ODI form continues after victory over World Champions England two months ago. A quality top order that includes Warner, Finch and Smith is always good enough to take advantage of poor bowling and fielding, and they did just that. Running between the wickets was a key feature, but with a heatwave across Sydney on the weekend, every ounce of fitness and discipline will be required to take out this series.
This applies to the bowlers, too. Mitchell Starc was significantly off-colour, with Josh Hazlewood picking up the slack with a game-changing opening spell. Adam Zampa continued his magnificent form, so if Australia can deliver better with the new ball, the platform will be set to target an Indian middle order that looks over its shoulder and sees a long tail.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
- Steve Smith just loves playing India. His century in the first ODI was his fourth against the Indians out of 10 career centuries overall. Overall, Smith averages a remarkable 63.25 in 16 ODI innings against India (1,012 runs, SR 102.22).
- India will need to break the Aaron Finch-David Warner partnership as early as possible. The excellent opening combination combined for a 156-run opening stand in the first ODI, with Finch then going on to make his fourth hundred in 29 innings vs India (overall avg. 47.32).
- Warner is 93 runs away from 1,000 ODI runs against India. He has scored his runs at an average of 50.38 against them.
- Shikhar Dhawan will be key at the top. He has been superb against Australia in recent times. His last four scores against them read: 117 (109), 74 (91), 96 (90) and 74 (86).
- Virat Kohli has a magnificent record against Australia (1,931 runs, avg. 53.63). However, the Indian skipper has not enjoyed playing at the SCG to date, with just 57 runs in six innings on this ground (avg. 11.40). Can he overcome this poor record?
- Glenn Maxwell in such batting form makes Australia an even more dangerous unit. He is coming off 45 (19) in the first ODI after a poor IPL campaign.
- Watch out for Hardik Pandya. Even though he is only playing as a batsman, Hardik can still influence a match. He scored an excellent 90 (76) in the opening ODI, after 281 runs at an average and strike rate of 35.12 and 178.98 in IPL 2020.
- Can Jasprit Bumrah rise from his ODI slumber? India’s leading seamer has taken just two wickets in seven ODIs in 2020 at an average of 180. More is expected of Mitchell Starc, too, with the left-arm pacer taking 12 wickets in 10 ODIs this year at an average of 47.
- How well is Adam Zampa going? The leg-spinner now has 24 wickets in his last 11 ODIs, as well as 24 wickets in 14 matches against India. He is coming off 4/54 in the first ODI, and has dismissed Virat Kohli five times.
- Josh Hazlewood was Australia’s star up front, finishing with 3/55 on Friday. The seamer has taken seven wickets in his last four ODIs (against England and India).
- No bowler has taken more wickets than Mohammed Shami’s 53 since the start of 2019. He was the only Indian bowler to go for less than six an over in the first ODI, and took three wickets as well.
Stats and Facts
- Steve Smith loves batting at the SCG (avg. 57.30 in 13 knocks), as does David Warner (avg. 58.00 in 15 knocks).
- Steve Smith’s century was the third-fastest ever by an Australian in ODIs.
- Both Jasprit Bumrah (36.84) and Mitchell Starc (34.70) average above 30 with the ball in Australia-India ODIs.
- Yuzvendra Chahal and Navdeep Saini went for a combined 2/172 in their 20 overs on Friday.
- The team batting first has won the last six ODIs at the SCG.
- The team that has won the first ODI in the last three Australia-India series has gone on to lose the series.
Possible Playing 11
Marcus Stoinis left the field in the first ODI with a side injury. He had scans on Friday night, but given that the second ODI is soon after the first, it is likely he will miss out.
So, Australia have the option of handing an international debut to the talented Cameron Green. However, Justin Langer previously said that Green will only play if he can bowl some overs. Given that Green has just come back to the bowling crease after stress fractures in his back last season, it remains to be seen if Australia play him on a day where temperatures will exceed 40 degrees. Moises Henriques and Sean Abbott are the other two pace-bowling all-rounder options.
Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. David Warner, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Marnus Labuschagne, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Alex Carey (wk), 7. Moises Henriques/Sean Abbott/Cameron Green, 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Pat Cummins, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. Josh Hazlewood
The big question for India is whether they stick with the same XI. Hardik Pandya’s terrific performance as a specialist batsman means he has to be in the side, but someone like Shardul Thakur could be brought in for extra batting cover in the lower order. India also have the option of bringing in yorker specialist T Natarajan for more stability at the death.
Also, eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer, after a worrying dismissal against the short ball in the opening ODI.
India: 1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. Mayank Agarwal, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. KL Rahul (wk), 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Navdeep Saini/T Natarajan/Shardul Thakur, 9. Mohammed Shami, 10. Yuzvendra Chahal, 11. Jasprit Bumrah
SCG Pitch and Weather Report
The toss could prove crucial in this one, for three reasons. First, the team batting first has won the last six ODIs at the SCG. Second, the same pitch will be used as Friday, which will slow up further as the day progresses. Third, the very hot conditions will bake the pitch further throughout the day, which could mean spin and cutters into the pitch will be the key strategy.
The forecast is for a very, very hot day, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees celsius. A score in the region of 310-320 can be a difficult one to chase.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
Option 2:
Match Prediction
Historically, India have shown ability to bounce back after a first-up defeat. However, their team balance (or lack of) requires every one of their experienced players to deliver, which can bring on pressure. India will get better, but so will Australia, in a game where batting first and notching a score in the region of 300 will be key.
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